Where are the stroller-friendly hikes on Oahu? Any good walking trails with nice scenery for families with small kids to enjoy? Yep and yep. Here’s a detailed round-up for you bookmark and share! (Don’t forget to bookmark this, guaranteed you’ll want to reference this next week!) For tourists, this is a great list There’s also an awesome FB Group I recommend joining “Hiking with Keiki” if you really want to get into it and make it a regular thing. Also, notice I tagged this roundup under the “Daddy Day Ideas” just in case you guys out there need some ideas!

1. Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]akapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail an ideal hike for a family with small children as it is stroller-friendly, two miles round trip, and kids aged three and up can walk it no problem. This hike also has tide pools- we haven’t tried them out though. Roudtrip this is about 2.5 miles.

Here’s What You Should Know:

Try to go early to catch the sunrise. I know I know, who gets their kids up early to watch a sunrise on a hike? Just in case you guys are suffering from jetlag or something and you’re up and need something to do, there’s an option for you.

Remember to bring lots of water, as well as sunscreen and hats for the kiddos as this hike is not shaded.

This path will be undergoing major repairs over the next few months so double check they are open beforehand.  Here’s the article: “Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail Improvements.” It will be closed “weekdays through Thursday, March 5 beginning Monday”. Huh? I tried to wrap my head around that quote for about 2 minutes. I’m not really sure what that means. So, check before you go.

2. Waimea Valley Falls

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]aimea Valley Falls is such a beautiful place. When you go, it makes you feel good about being out in nature. It makes your kids feel good AND it’s all paved. Many call this a hike because it’s going uphill, but I’m not sure I’d classify this as a hike. It’s more like a very beautiful and  paved walk going uphill. It’s on the North Shore, so if you don’t live there it makes for an awesome morning or day trip if you couple it with lunch (picnik or someone on the North Shore). Roundtrip this is 1.5 miles.

Here’s What You Should to Know:

So there’s a fee to pay to enter this beautiful place. General admission is $16 for adults and $8 for kids 4-12. Kama’aina rates are $10 admission fee for adults and $6 for children over 4. Kids under 4 are free.

There’s not much shade to bring along water and don’t forget suncreen and hats. There are vending machines towards the top of the hike. Kids over three can walk this, no problem.

http://www.waimeavalley.net/

3. Central Oahu Regional Park

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]entral Oahu Regional Park (CORP) is a beautiful and massive park located in Waipio. It boasts over 260 acres of recreational space to enjoy, including an aquatic center, tennis courts, several playgrounds, baseball diamonds and jogging/walking trails, plus more.  It’s a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic, kit flying, and playground time. It’s also a great spot to host a meetup with other moms given the space and the availability of parking! You know the parking situation here can be an “I’m not going!” inducer!

Here’s What You Should Know:

This place is totally free. Free parking. Free playgrounds. On the weekends there are many sporting events happening here. Keep that in mind should you decided to check it out during that time.  The best times to go are during the week, not crowded and plenty of space to run around and enjoy nature.  This is a great spot to break out the jogging stroller and get your run on. There’s some big trees available that offer ample shade, though the playgrounds aren’t shaded.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Oahu_Regional_Park

4. Pearl Harbor Biking Path

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]earl Harbor Biking Path isn’t well known, however, it offers up a nice alternative to the traditional Pearl Harbor experience and it’s something you can do regularly as opposed to the traditional Pearl Harbor tour, which I highly recommend for tourists. This trail  is a paved 10-mile walk/bike/jogging trail that extends from Halawa Landing to Waipahu.

Here’s What You Should Know:

It’s a mostly pleasant run, walk, jog, or bike, however it you’re looking for peaceful and nature-filled 100% then this isn’t for you.  This path is more ideal if you’re looking for a ‘local experience’ as opposed to a magical Hawaii experience. There’s not much shade along the path, so bring suncreen, hats, and plenty of water. You can easily start at Blaisdelle Park (which also has a playground and restrooms) as they normally have ample parking available.

 http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2013/10/22/pearl_harbor_bike_path_oahu_hawaii

5. Hanauma Bay Ridge

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his place is what Hawaii hiking dreams are made of for parents! I can see many childhood memories being made by making this a regular hike for your family. The views are gorgeous. The hike is not too tough or dangerous. Hanauma Bay Loop is another great spot for catching the sunrise.

Here’s What You Should Know:

It’s just gorgeous but there’s a while bunch of incline! This path is considered beginner and is about 1.5 miles round trip. Children aged 3+ should be able to walk this, but may require a bit of help. Parking in the Hanauma Bay Ridge parking lot is closed on Tuesdays, so you might want to try residential parking on Nawiliwili or parking in the Koko Head parking lot on that day. Otherwise, all other days you should be able to park in the Hanauma Bay Ridge just find. Also, there’s not much shade, so bring hats, sunscreen, and don’t forget your water.

 http://www.olukai.com/journal/2014/08/26/hanauma-bay-ridge-hike/

6. Old Pali Highway Trail

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his spot is located at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout (a popular tourist destination) and is considered a great spot due to the views and history. [UPDATE: It has been reported that this location is no longer open to hiking. Please confirm before going.] It’s also very windy, so perfect for wind-in-the-hair shots.  This is stroller-friendly as you’re walking on an old paved road.  However, the path narrows towards the end, so if you in a stroller that would be your cue to turn back. There is an option to keep going to take a look at some waterfalls, however that involves going down an old wooden ladder… I don’t know about you, but my kids + old wooden ladders don’t really mix.

Here’s What You Should Know:

Go early. The Pali Lookout draws crowds, I’m talking tour buses. I mean, it is a beautiful place. To access the Old Pali Highway trail, look for a closed road sign. the trail is located just behind the sign. It’s closed to car traffic but open to hikers. It’s an easy hike down the paved trail. Kama’aina arking is free and is $3 otherwise. This one is very stroller friendly. Bring bug-repellent along, if you don’t, you will surely regret it! It’s about a 3 mile hike round trip.

http://www.oahufamilyactivities.com/2011/03/pali-highway-lookout.html

http://www.explorationhawaii.com/2011/08/15/old-pali-road-trail-to-waterfall-via-likelike-trail/

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